Unions slam Reform UK plans to oust perm secs and cut 68,500 jobs
15 Dec 2025 Operational Delivery

Unions slam Reform UK plans to oust perm secs and cut 68,500 jobs

Party announces more details of civil service reform policies including weakening pensions in favour of higher bonuses, increasing office working and big cuts to policy profession
by Tevye Markson
DVSA appoints new chief exec amid driving test backlog crisis
22 Dec 2025 Operational Delivery
DVSA appoints new chief exec amid driving test backlog crisis
Civil Service Awards 2025 winners announced
10 Dec 2025 Operational Delivery
Civil Service Awards 2025 winners announced
DWP creates new safeguarding team following MPs concerns
24 Nov 2025 Operational Delivery
DWP creates new safeguarding team following MPs concerns
MPs doubt Cabinet Office’s ability to fix security-vetting failings
15 May 2023 Operational Delivery
MPs doubt Cabinet Office’s ability to fix security-vetting failings
Public Accounts Committee accuses department of “blocking” UKSV reform and ignoring risks
Whitehall ‘not moving fast enough’ on product-safety reform
12 May 2023 Operational Delivery
Whitehall ‘not moving fast enough’ on product-safety reform
Public Accounts Committee chair voices concerns about pace of progress with 2021 review
MPs voice fears about Cabinet Office’s latest shared-services drive
05 May 2023 Operational Delivery
MPs voice fears about Cabinet Office’s latest shared-services drive
Report flags lack of business case, absence contingency plans for funding shortfalls and inconsistent “benefits” calculations
Anger as NI civil servants are left to find 10% budget cuts
03 May 2023 Operational Delivery
Anger as NI civil servants are left to find 10% budget cuts
Government ignores call for ministerial directions in absence of power-sharing executive
'Negligent' employers not being inspected due to HSE funding cuts, union warns
28 Apr 2023 Operational Delivery
'Negligent' employers not being inspected due to HSE funding cuts, union warns
Inspection cancellations soar amid "staffing and skills crisis" after 43% real-terms funding cuts
Civil Service Commission seeks more independence from Cabinet Office
18 Apr 2023 Operational Delivery
Civil Service Commission seeks more independence from Cabinet Office
Gisela Stuart says the regulator has at times been "treated like a business unit of the Cabinet Office"
Government has implemented just four of 57 ethics recommendations, says charity
11 Apr 2023 Operational Delivery
Government has implemented just four of 57 ethics recommendations, says charity
Spotlight on Corruption says it hopes the post-Greensill audit will be a "wake-up call" to the government
Passport delays: staff were 'fighting a losing battle against poor planning'
06 Apr 2023 Operational Delivery
Passport delays: staff were 'fighting a losing battle against poor planning'
Passport Office "let down" hundreds of thousands of customers despite planning for applications surge, PAC says
MPs criticise public service ombudsman for ‘lack of ambition’
03 Apr 2023 Operational Delivery
MPs criticise public service ombudsman for ‘lack of ambition’
Report says PHSO strategy for cutting complaints backlog is not a long-term solution
Read the spring 2023 issue of Civil Service World
21 Mar 2023 Operational Delivery
Read the spring 2023 issue of Civil Service World
Read exclusive interviews with Home Office perm sec Matthew Rycroft and first civil service commissioner Gisela Stuart – plus deep dives on the trade profession and chief scientific adviser Patrick Vallance's legacy
PCS ballots civil servants on six more months of strikes, as it announces more walkouts
21 Mar 2023 Operational Delivery
PCS ballots civil servants on six more months of strikes, as it announces more walkouts
Union urges civil servants to send a “clear message to the government” by backing further action
Home Office police recruitment demands 'pushed Met focus away from diversity and skills'
21 Mar 2023 Operational Delivery
Home Office police recruitment demands 'pushed Met focus away from diversity and skills'
Recruitment programme a "missed opportunity", finds review warning of racism, homophobia, misogyny and ableism in Met Police